T(oe)tally fun shoes

The fashion industry battles schizophrenia with this summer’s shoe lineup. On one hand, it’s open season on tootsies. Show a little toe, these shoes demand. On the other, it’s boots. Yes, boots for summer, in natural tones, with toes safely tucked out of sight.
Talk about freedom of choice.
“This season is about fun, bright shoes that can play up an outfit,” said Quinley Allred, manager of Ellie Shoes in Auburn.

Footwear fashion this summer coincides with a clothing forecast of sexy, feminine and festive. Bright colors, patent finishes, prints, earthy metallics, and color-block patterns step up to replace the more neutral palette of summer 2007.
Fall’s most popular footwear – the high-heeled oxford – will make a comeback with a twist for an extra flirty edge: the peep toe. The spunky peep-toe oxfords look great with skinny jeans for a night out or with a summer dress for running errands.
For every occasion, there is a shoe to match.
Shoes this summer are singular works of art, said Nancy Brinker, assistant director of fashion design in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati, incorporating strong colors and embellishments.

“There are a lot of happy colors this season,” said Danan Whiddon, owner of Stamp Your Feet, a shoe boutique in downtown Auburn. “Patent is still big, as well as nude heels. Multi-colored shoes are also a big trend for summer.”
For more casual wear, ballet flats carry over from seasons past. This summer, look for a flat with an open toe for a 1950s take on the trend.
If you’re looking for a little extra height or more sex appeal, many of the summer’s silhouettes are high platforms. While a hidden platform carried many women through the fall and winter, platforms this summer are higher and more obvious. Many feature a cut-out heel. These aren’t your mother’s disco shoes. The feel is more contemporary, the look less blocky.

Shake the dust off those wedges in the back of your closet. They are on the fast track back into mainstream fashion.
“I’ve really noticed a lot of wedges in bright colors with stripes and polka dots,” Allred of Ellie Shoes said.
Wedges are not limited to stripes and polka dots. Animal prints on wedges – zebra, leopard and tiger – carry over from previous safari and tribal clothing trends and will be prominent again this season.
For a weekend at the beach, strappy sandals are a girl’s best friend. These sandals in toned-down neutral metallics – tan, cream, and brown – are a staple for the warm weather months. Sandals in exotic skins, bold colors, and patent materials are also must-haves.

The shoe-obsessed maverick should look for gladiator sandals that lace up the calf to pair with denim shorts or a floaty feminine bohemian dress. Wearing these sandals with a toga, however, will surely lead to a fashion disaster and a loss of fashionista credibility. Gladiator sandals are funky and fabulous, but unless you’re auditioning for the remake of “Spartacus,” or maybe “Animal House,” check the bed sheet at the door.
Don’t think that hot weather means your fall boots are completely obsolete. Leather boots will still look good this summer, especially in versatile shades of brown. Find a boot with a slight heel and pair it with a white cotton knee-length dress. 2008 will see a revival of 1967’s Summer of Love, so finding a fabulous flat-bottom boot to pair with denim shorts, perhaps with a high-waist, will give your outfit a touch of retro chic.

Use and abuse your shoes from this summer’s collection while treating your feet to a spectacular treat. This summer’s shoes are bold, bright, and fun while still being sexy and sophisticated. Whether your look is distinctly modern, straight from grandma’s closet, or bohemian, there is a shoe sure to match your mood, personality and outfit.
Love, peace and footwear. What a wonderful world.